Mary Allen
Popular pets are cuddly, affectionate, and intelligent. Here you can find out what needs to be considered when keeping and feeding rats and what diseases often occur.
General
Rats are becoming more and more popular as pets as more and more people realize that rats are very cuddly, affectionate, and above all intelligent people. The rats kept as pets are descended from brown rats, which arrived in Europe from northern China via ship routes at the end of the 18th century. Brown rats are mainly nocturnal. Rats as pets mostly adapt to the rhythm of their owner.
Unlike other domestic animals, rats do not differentiate between breeds.
However, there are many different colors and markings (e.g. Husky, Berkshire, Siamese). Pet rats live on average between 2 and 3 years and reach a length of 22 – 27 cm. The tail also measures a length of 18 – 20 cm. Females weigh between 200 and 400 g when fully grown. Male animals reach a weight between 250 and 650 g.
Rats live in large colonies in the wild, so these gregarious and highly social animals should never be kept alone.
Therefore, when keeping pets, at least two, but preferably small groups of 4 – 6 animals should be kept. Rats are capable of reproduction between 4 – 6 weeks and must be sexually separated from the 4th week of life. If you opt for a mixed group, bucks should definitely be castrated to avoid unwanted offspring. A female rat gives birth to between 10 and 15 pups per litter.
Attitude
Rats like to climb and explore their surroundings from above, which is why multi-level aviaries make the best rat houses. For small groups of 4 animals, the aviary should be at least 100 cm long, 60 cm wide and 120 cm high. In addition to climbing opportunities, the cage should also be equipped with many hiding places such as tubes, houses, bridges, and walkways. Hammocks and baskets are also very popular. The rat cage should be rearranged regularly, otherwise, the curious animals will quickly get bored. The best bedding is hemp or forest floor litter. Commercially available sawdust should not be used, as this creates too much dust and can irritate the respiratory tract. Wood pellets are also not recommended as feet are very sensitive and can easily catch fire. Hay and straw should only be offered in small amounts as nesting material and to cover the crude fiber content. Rats are very clean and not uncommonly housebroken, which is why they should be offered a toilet with chinchilla bath sand.
Rats should be allowed to exercise for at least 2-3 hours a day, and the apartment or room must be made rat-proof beforehand. Rats are very intelligent and eager to learn animals, who also like to learn a trick or two.
Feeding
Rats are basically omnivores, eating several small amounts throughout the day. Nevertheless, you should also pay attention to a healthy and varied diet when keeping pets, which the animals are welcome to work on. A feed mixture with different types of grain should be offered as basic food. This should be free of high-fat seeds such as sunflowers, corn or pumpkin seeds. These may only be given as a treat or reward.
Fresh feed
Fresh food should be offered to the animals 2-3 times a day. You should check the animals daily for leftover food, as the animals like to hoard. Vegetables such as carrots, cucumber, peppers, zucchini, and small amounts of lettuce are suitable as fresh food (bitter lettuce is preferred).
Herbs such as basil, parsley, or dill are also a welcome change on the menu. Types of fruit such as apples, pears, peaches, bananas, grapes, or melon should only be given in small amounts, otherwise, they will quickly lead to diarrhea. Boiled pasta, rice, or potatoes can be given 2-3 times a week as a treat.
Protein suppliers
A small piece of mild cheese, a dab of unsweetened natural yogurt or curd cheese, and a small piece of boiled egg are suitable sources of protein. The protein requirement of young animals, pregnant or lactating animals is significantly higher. In principle, protein-containing snacks can be given 1-2 times a week.
For gnawing
You can offer the animals branches from unsprayed trees to gnaw on. Apple branches are suitable for this; pear trees or hazelnut bushes. Small amounts of nuts or corn kernels can be given as a treat.
Water
Fresh water should always be available in drinking bottles or glazed ceramic bowls.
Common diseases. Respiratory diseases
Rats are prone to infectious respiratory diseases. These are expressed by sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, as well as cracking breathing noises. Red nose or eye discharge should not be confused with blood. It is the secretion of the Harderian gland, this secretion is distributed over the fur by the rats when cleaning. The secretion also has a pheromone effect. An animal that is sick or unwell grooms less and therefore this secretion remains in the corner of the eye or around the nostrils.
Mites
These can be introduced via the hay or through the bedding. The rats begin to scratch and bite more, which quickly causes bloody scabs to form on the animals’ bodies. The mites themselves cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Tumors
Mostly mammary gland tumors are quite common in animals older than one year. They grow very quickly and often take on a considerable size.
If your animal shows any of these diseases or symptoms, you should consult a veterinarian immediately.